Diesel Exhaust Fluid (Adblue) Low
 

Hit 9,500 miles on the X5 yesterday and then got the Diesel Exhaust Fluid Service Notice that the car will not start after 1,000 miles. The warning message appears at the bottom of the IDrive display and does not go away replacing the clock and miscellaneous nav and phone info (annoying). It also counts down the mileage as well as giving you a warning message using the whole display every time you start the vehicle.

The dealer advised that BMW does not sell this fluid retail and you cannot buy it from them. BMW does however refill whenever you get the low warning at no cost. My local dealer did
not have (3-4 days to get) so went to another dealer and they added a bottle at no charge.

good info. In case you didn't know though, you can toggle the up/down on your turn signal stalk to get that display info back for a few secs. I do it when I get the fuel reserve warning that also stays - I have a bad habit of letting it run low.

Didn't know you could toggle the display info back using the turn signal stalk. Will give that a try next time.

David, they sell the fluid at both dealers I've been to. One dealer said I should buy a bottle to keep on hand. This fall, even truck stops will have the fluid. All 2010 and beyond diesel vehicles including tractor trailers will be required to use urea injection. The fluid is universal. You could have even gone to a Mercedes dealer for a bottle. I thought it was going to last 11,000 miles. How many miles does your computer show before your first service? The fluid is only good for a year and has to be emptied if you don't use it all up in one years time.

Craig

It was at 9,500 miles when I got the 1,000 mile countdown.

Here is the email that I got from my dealer which another dealer also confirmed. There is a bulletin they referred to that said they are not allowed to sell retail. Not a big deal as I don't mind free, but it would be interesting to know what your local dealers says to confirm this.

Sorry for the delay on the information about the Diesel Exhaust Fluid, the fluid at this time is not available for retail sale by BMW. BMW of Fremont does not have the fluid in stock at this time and it takes approximately 3 days to arrive. As per BMW we are not to sell the bulk fluid as retail or for DEF top-offs.
Thank You
Kathy Dottai
BMW of Fremont
Parts Manager

First I've heard of it. Plaza Motors told me when I took delivery, I should buy an extra liter to keep in my car. 1-800-325-7060 ask for BMW parts and see what they say. My local dealer told me, they also keep the fluid in stock. It has a one year shelf life on it. I also like free and didn't buy an extra liter to keep on hand...

Craig

I believe the difference is that the dealer won't sell the bulk fluid (which they have for shop use) via retail, but that they will sell the litre bottles (if they have them in stock).

The fluid isn't likely to be mandated for all diesel engines, as there are several different methods diesel engine manufacturers can use to meet the 2010 emissions standards. Urea injection is one method, but there are others.

The St. Louis dealer I gave the number for has liter bottles for sale.
They told me that when I took delivery...

Craig

Here's the last response I rec'd from BMW Dealer:

Hi,

You mentioned bulk fluid. Is there a small bottle (liter) or something BMW sells for me to keep as a spare?

Thanks,
David



Again, not a big deal since you can get 1,000 miles before the car won't start and you can go to any dealer at anytime for a free top off.

Hi, I have a euro diesel so I guess this fluid applies only to us models .. is this right ?and out of curiosity what is this exhaust fluid ? and what exactly does it do ?

thanks,